01/09/2014

Brat aims to make the economy the focus in challenge of Cantor

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Henrico) has had challengers before. Most of them he has easily swatted away. Dr. David Brat, an often quoted economics professor from Randolph Macon College hopes he is different.

Brat launched a challenge to Cantor today with events across Central Virginia (two of which were actually held outside of the 7th congressional district). Brat had been planning a run against Cantor for sometime- he signaled his intentions to NBC12 before the holidays.

But even if Brat can impress Washington, D.C. conservatives, it is people here in Central Virginia he will have to convince. It is a group that has solidly supported Cantor long enough for him to rise to a very powerful position in Congress.

We asked Brat about the challenge he has in front of him Thursday on NBC12 First at 4:

Among Brat's many challenges will be running against a GOP establishment solidly behind Cantor. That includes people Brat has worked with in the past. He has served as a policy advisor to Sen. Walter Stosch. Stosch considers both men friends but told me that he will support Cantor over Brat.

Here is what Stosch told me about the primary race:

Brat argues that while Cantor is powerful, he hasn't been using the powers to benefit his constituents. He is hoping to make the case that his economic views will do more to reign in the country's sky rocketing debt and deficits.

While he is pushing Cantor from the right, his focus will not be social issues as is traditionally the case in GOP primaries. Expect his campaign to present Brat as an intellectual Tea Party alternative to Cantor.

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Eric Cantor is as crooked as a dog's hind leg. Cantor and his opponent Dave Brat are in the VA 7th Republican primary. If Cantor wins his primary on June 10, he will run unopposed in November and be the next Speaker of the House. Do Democrats want Cantor in there for another term? This can all be stopped by defeating him in the primary. Donate to Dave Brat for Congress, he is clearly the lesser of two evils. Check him out and donate atwww.davebratforcongress.com

For me, I would rather have a freshman Congressman in the House than a corrupt establishment Republican with his eye on the Speaker position.